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SOOKE– The salmon fishing was VERYGOOD this past week. Many coho between 8 lbs and 15 lbs have been reported. The best fishing has been at a depth of 80’ in 400’ or deeper of water. Otter Point has been one of the bests spots to be this past week. Spring fishing has really slowed down. Most anglers fishing for springs are using bait, with anchovies being the most popular choice. Good choices for teaser head colours are chartreuse and Bloody Nose. For flashers, the Bon Chovy and No Bananas have been working well. Hootchies in white and Army Truck have producing well. Spoons and Coho Killers have been good for catching Coho in the colours Irish Cream and White Lightening.

BECHER BAY– Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week for coho in Becher Bay. The coho salmon fishing is now the main focus of local anglers. Many Coho up to 14lbs have been reported caught off Beechy Head and Secretary. The best depths have been 60’ – 80’ in 300+ feet of water. The springs are scattered from the Bedfords to the Trap Shack. The best depths to fish for the springs have been from 40 to 80 feet and very close to the shoreline. Anchovies are the most popular bait for springs while spoons and hootchies are more popular for coho. Good teaser heads have been the Bloody Nose, Mint Pearl and Chartreuse. The best color combinations for spoons have lots of green on the spoon, including the Irish Cream. For flashers, the Gibbs Highliner Guide Series Outfitters and Lemon Lime, or the Bon Chovy have been working well.

PEDDER BAY– Pedder Bay Marina reports FAIR salmon fishing. The coho salmon fishing is now the main focus of local anglers. The best fishing was in the 500+ foot depths and towards the international boarder. Spring fishing has really slowed down. Trollers are doing best trolling close to the shore and along the kelp, from 25 – 65 feet on the downrigger and with anchovies for bait. There have been reports of Coho’s into the low teens and very few chinooks. Good teaser heads to fish have been the Bloody Nose, Chartreuse and Mint Pearl. Spoons are also producing well, especially the smaller ones around 3.5”. The most popular spoons right now are the Irish Cream Coho Killer, the White Lightening Coho Killer and the Ourfitters G Force spoon. Flashers that have been producing are the No Bananas and the Twisted Sista in chartreuse.

VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off the waterfront this past week. The most productive area was Constance Bank again this week. Few pink salmon are still being caught and they have been from 4 to 6 lbs in size. The best fishing for coho are at a depth of 70’ on top of the bank or a depth of 120’ on the edge on Constance, fishing the bottom. The coho the have been reported have been a size range from 5lbs – 12lbs with the odd mature fish. The best teaser heads have been the Bloody Nose, UV green or red or Army Truck. Spoons have been successful in getting hook ups the Irish Cream Coho Killer or pink Hootchies being good options for gear.

OAK BAY– Salmon fishing was OKAY in Oak Bay this past week. From the reports that we have had, there have been feeders up to 10lbs coming in over the last week. The best fishing was on the flats between 80’ – 140’ of water fishing the bottom. The Outfitters G-Force spoon trolled behind a Raspberry Twisted Sista was a good option last week.

SIDNEY– Salmon fishing was OKAY TO SLOW in Sidney. Anglers using spoons found Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and AP Tackleworks needlefish spoons the most productive spoons this past week. Suggested colours are Trap Shack and Bon Chovy. Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish with teaser heads in UV Purple. Anglers jigging were also catching some fish. Good jigging lures have been 2¼ oz Point Wilson Darts, GIBBS Minnows and the Delta Mac Fish.

FRESHWATER

OVERVIEW – Fishing was FAIR in most lakes for trout and GOOD for bass.

COWICHAN RIVER – The Cowichan River’s water level is still low but getting better. Fishing for trout in the fly only area has been GOOD at dawn and dusk. Fish a Dry Fly in the early morning and later in the evening or fish a Nymph in the faster water. Both have been working well.

TROUT– Trout fishing is FAIR on most lakes in the South Island. Trollers should fish at the thermocline, where the fish are suspended during the day. Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing close to the bottom. Pink, Chartreuse and Fluorescent Yellow have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines most of the time to get into the cooler water levels. Trollers are catching trout with worms fished behind Gibbs Gang Trolls and on Gibbs Wedding Bands. 2” Tomic Plugs have also been working well for trout.

BASS– Bass fishing is GOOD as we enter the fall months. There have been many reports of good catches of fish as large as 6 lbs all summer. Soft plastics rigged Carolina style and crank baits are working well. The most productive colors in 4” Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed. Top water plugs are also fun and effective in the summer, especially at dawn and dusk. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.

FISH TIP OF THE WEEK - Most savvy salmon seekers attach Gagnon or heavy cod line to the end of their downrigger lines before attaching their weights. This softer line better withstands the bottom bouncing that fishing for winter springs entails. If you prefer not to make your own, you can get commercially made Downrigger Snubbers that are designed to withstand the same abuse of bouncing on the bottom.

Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon, Trout and Halibut Leader Boards. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st win a special prize.

Thank you to Islander and Shimano for our top Salmon and Halibut prizes. This year, the winner of the Salmon leader board will win an Islander MR3 mooching reel with a 10’6″ mooching rod. For Halibut, a Shimano halibut combo. Good luck!

Check out our Fall Savings Flyer on now until October 13 - click here for our full flyer.